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A Webster
County jury on Tuesday
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Texas County Prosecutor Michael R. Anderson liable for malicious
prosecution in a case brought against him by a justice center
clerk.
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It
assessed actual damages of $500,000 and punitive damages of
$500,000. It found for Anderson on an abuse of process
claim.
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Mildred S.
Williams alleged in her lawsuit that Prosecutor Michael R. Anderson
retaliated against her after she witnessed his sexual harassment of
another county employee Monica Daniels Hutchison.
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Anderson
in 2006 filed a lawsuit alleging wrong-doing by Williams and
Hutchison and claimed they were operating a sex ring from the Texas
County seat of government. He dropped it about 40 days
later.
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Both women
later sued Anderson. Williams alleged Anderson attempted to keep
her from testifying against him by intimidation or
coercion.
“font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;”>Earlier allegations brought against the prosecutor from Hutchison were settled out of court in the spring and the outcome sealed.
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Williams’
charges and others played out before the jury beginning a week ago
in Marshfield. Testimony often conflicted, and Anderson denied the
allegations. At about 3:35 p.m., the jury returned its verdict.
Three-quarters of the jurors were required to agree.
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Attorneys
for both gave closing arguments Tuesday morning before Howell
County Associate Circuit Judge Don M. Henry, who presided over the
case on a change of venue from Texas County.
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